Department for Communities and Local Government

Social Rented Housing

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the reduction of funds collected under the "pay to stay" proposals for household incomes of £30,000 outside London, and £40,000 inside London, and proposals to raise that to household incomes of £40,000 outside London and £50,000 inside London per annum.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: It is estimated that setting the income thresholds at £40,000 nationally and £50,000 in London would significantly reduce savings from the policy. The policy would apply to a far smaller number of people and the operation of a taper means that tenants in this income bracket would be paying a far smaller contribution towards their rent.

Floods: European Union Solidarity Fund

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in their application to the EU Solidarity Fund for flood relief, and when they anticipate the first payments from that fund will be made.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government submitted an initial UK application to the European Union Solidarity Fund on Friday 26 February. We are in the process of refining our cost estimates and figures, and I will update Parliament once the application is finalised.

Leader of the House of Lords

Standing Orders

Lord Trefgarne: To ask the Leader of the House whether she is satisfied with the existing Standing Orders relating to the consideration of primary legislation in its later stages, and if not, whether she will refer that matter to the Procedure Committee.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will write directly to my Rt Hon. Friend.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Han Choong Yeol

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that North Korean agents have killed the Korean-Chinese pastor Han Choong Yeol.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are aware of the concerning reports surrounding the murder of Han Choong Yeol in the border region between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. However, any investigation will be a matter for the Chinese authorities.

Han Choong Yeol

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will raise with the Chinese authorities reports that North Korean agents entered Chiangbai and murdered the Korean-Chinese pastor Han Choong Yeol.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), to the Hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell), on 9 May 2016 (PQ 36385), copied below for ease of reference:'I have no plans to raise this case with the Chinese Government. We have a regular dialogue with the Chinese about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which covers the effective implementation of UN sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons, and encouraging China to confront human rights violations by the North Korean regime, most notably the important principle of non-refoulement. I raised both points with Chinese Vice Minister Chen Fengxiang in December'.

UK Membership of EU

Lord Stevens of Ludgate: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Prime Minister’s comments regarding the stability of peace in Europe if the UK leaves the EU, what contingency plans they have made.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: In his speech on 9 May, the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), was clear that the UK will be stronger, safer and better off by remaining a member of the EU. If the UK were to leave the EU, the withdrawal negotiation would need to address a wide range of difficult issues, including co-operation on foreign policy.

North Korea: Press Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the detention and expulsion of BBC journalists from North Korea.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The detention and expulsion of a BBC journalist in Pyongyang is of concern. This is yet another example of the North Korean regime’s attempts to restrict and control the free flow of information and limit freedom of speech. We will continue to raise human rights issues, such as freedom of speech and freedom of expression, directly with the regime and in international fora as part of our policy of critical engagement.

North Korea: Freedom of Expression

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the North Korean authorities about the treatment of British journalists and the continued breach of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights pertaining to the free flow of information, and restrictions on freedom of speech in that country.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We made immediate representations to the North Korean authorities when we were informed of the detention of a BBC journalist in Pyongyang. Our Embassy in Pyongyang provided consular assistance prior to the journalist's departure. As part of our policy of critical engagement with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea we consistently raise human rights issues, such as freedom of speech and freedom of expression, directly with the regime and in international fora.

Diplomatic Service: Arabic

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British Ambassadors based in the Middle East and North Africa (1) speak Arabic, and (2) are able to conduct official business in Arabic.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to the noble Viscount Waverley on 28 April 2016 (HL7839), namely that, in the Middle East and North Africa region approximately 95 per cent of our Heads of Mission speak Arabic or other local languages (e.g. French or Hebrew).

Olympic Games: Brazil

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the current political crisis in Brazil on the country's stability and security ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The ongoing impeachment process in Brazil is a domestic issue for the people of Brazil and their elected representatives. We continue to follow developments closely. Preparations for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games are being led by the State and City of Rio de Janeiro. Experts from the London 2012 team have been working closely with the Rio 2016 authorities and we are confident they will deliver a successful Games.

Northern Ireland Office

Belfast Agreement

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether parity of esteem as established in the Belfast Agreement 1998 applies to people who live in the Republic of Ireland.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether parity of esteem as established in the Belfast Agreement 1998 applies to (1) people temporarily residing in Northern Ireland, and if so for how long such people have to live there for parity of esteem to apply; and (2) people who live outside Northern Ireland but work in the province.

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem in the Belfast Agreement 1998 means that people living in Northern Ireland are subject to more parity of esteem than anywhere else in the UK; and if not, why not.

Lord Dunlop: As I have explained in my previous replies to the noble Lord, the concept of ‘parity of esteem’ is expressed and defined in the 1998 Belfast Agreement in relation to people living in Northern Ireland. This Government sees parity of esteem as treating everybody in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect, just as it is committed to treating people fairly and with equal respect wherever they live in the United Kingdom.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Trade Union Bill: Wales

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 19 April (HL Deb, col 614), whether they will write to the Welsh Government Minister for Public Services setting out in full their argument that those sections of the Trade Union Bill applying only to devolved public services in Wales are nevertheless reserved matters, and if so, whether they will place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Minimum Wage

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will name those businesses that are known to have changed the terms and conditions of their low-paid workers in order to recover some of the costs of paying an increased minimum wage; and what steps they plan to take to discourage businesses from taking such steps.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government believes that it is essential for employers to ensure that their reward packages are competitive, in order to retain and develop the staff who are fundamental to their success. In a growing economy, the National Living Wage should represent an opportunity to invest in talented staff and improve productivity.The Government does not plan to operate a formal scheme to name employers who change employees’ terms and conditions. But we will continue to be clear that reducing wider remuneration packages and blaming the National Living Wage is short-sighted and not in the spirit of the introduction of the National Living Wage.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills tracks the performance of FTSE 100 companies and is able to identify where any company has introduced a cost-cutting measure and correspondingly reduced executive pay, and if so, what percentage of those companies have done so.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy that FTSE 100 executive pay is a matter solely for shareholders or also for a wider group of affected stakeholders such as pension holders, customers, and the customers of similar companies.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy, in circumstances where more than 50 per cent of shareholder votes oppose executive pay awards, that the companies' boards should take note.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to legislate to change non-binding shareholder votes in relation to executive pay in public companies to binding votes if they pass the 50 per cent threshold.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support annual executive pay votes by shareholders, and whether they intend to legislate to stop three-year votes on that issue.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce a duty on shareholders of a significant size to address executive pay and company performance and increase those shareholders' reporting requirements to pension trustees.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Managers: Pay

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to legislate to introduce voting thresholds that empower shareholders in the operations of public companies in relation to executive pay.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

UK Membership of EU

Lord Lansley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of leaving the EU on businesses that export within the EU single market and on individual sectors.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with my noble Friend.

Business: UK Membership of EU

Lord Lansley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance and specific information they have provided, or plan to provide, to businesses about the impact of the UK leaving the EU on individual business sectors in order to support those businesses in communicating with their staff, suppliers, and other stakeholders about the possible impact on them of the UK leaving the EU.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with my noble Friend.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: NHS

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish the draft Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership agreement and any information they have on risks to the NHS posed by that draft treaty.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the NHS is excluded from the current Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership draft documents, and whether they will publish the legal advice they previously commissioned, in full or in summary, regarding the risk to the NHS of litigation by US private health companies.

Lord Price: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Pregnancy: Discrimination

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of figures released by the Citizens' Advice Bureau indicating that pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace is rising; and what action they plan to take as a result.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with my noble Friend.

*No heading*

Lord Inglewood: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of leaving the EU on businesses that trade with Europe, and how those businesses may communicate that impact.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with my noble Friend.

Department for International Development

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have given any consideration to suspending aid to the Palestinian Authority in the light of its decision to transfer over £85 million a year to the Palestine Liberation Organisation for the purpose of paying salaries to convicted terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

Baroness Verma: DFID is currently reviewing all its programmes following the publication of the updated Official Development Assistance strategy last year. DFID provides financial support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to help deliver peace and support progress towards a two state solution. DFID funding helps build Palestinian institutions and promotes economic growth so that any future Palestinian state will be a prosperous and effective partner for peace. UK funding to the PA is for vetted civil servants only.The PA has reaffirmed that prisoner payments are administered by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. We continue to lobby that the payments to prisoner’s families are more transparent and needs-based.

Department for Education

GCSE

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what analysis they have carried out of the performance of sponsored academy schools compared to similar local authority maintained schools based on GCSE results in (1) 2013, (2) 2014, and (3) 2015.

Lord Nash: The Department published a supplementary analysis to the academies annual report in June 2013 which included analysis of the 2012 results for sponsored secondary academies compared to similar local authority maintained schools. The paper has been attached to this answer.Our success in meeting our commitment to tackle failing schools by bringing in academy sponsors means that there is no longer a large enough pool of maintained secondary schools to allow a robust approach to identifying similar schools against which we can assess academy performance, such as the matching methodology used in our June 2013 analysis. A matching approach has been used in other analysis of primary schools such as that published in May 2016 by SchoolDash to conclude that sponsored academies “become noticeably better in a relatively short time following academy conversion.”



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Faith Schools

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to tackle persistent staff segregation by gender at some independent faith schools, as recently identified by the Chief Inspector of Schools.

Lord Nash: Independent schools have to meet the standards set in regulations. If segregation results in disadvantage for pupils of one gender, either directly or through inappropriate modelling of gender roles through staff segregation visible to pupils, then it is likely that the standards have not been met and regulatory action by this Department will follow. If there is a possibility that staff segregation disadvantages staff of one gender and there may be a direct breach of the Equality Act 2010, we will not hesitate to make a referral to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

National Curriculum Tests

Baroness Afshar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the long-term impact of the introduction of SAT exams on vulnerable children.

Lord Nash: SATs, now called national curriculum tests, were first introduced in 1991. In determining primary assessment policy, the Department considers the impact of testing on all children as a matter of course, which includes drawing on evidence from this country’s past national tests.As part of our Public Sector Equality Duty, we also consider the impact of Government policy on different groups of pupils, including – but not limited to – those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Vulnerable children, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds who qualify for free school meals, looked-after children who attract pupil premium plus funding, or those with special educational needs.The Government believes that rigorous and appropriate assessment is in all pupils’ interests. National curriculum tests help teachers to understand how pupils are doing in relation to national expectations and identify where additional support is needed. They also hold schools to account for how well they support their pupils, which the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development concludes is particularly important for the least advantaged. The tests should not put undue pressure on any pupil and we trust teachers to approach them in a proportionate manner. Schools are also required to provide continuous and appropriate support for the wellbeing and resilience of all pupils.For this year, we have introduced updated tests to align with the new National Curriculum which was introduced in 2014. In developing the curriculum we have been mindful of the possible impact on equalities and based on a wide range of evidence we have conducted a full equalities impact assessment. This paper has been attached to this answer.The new tests will assess pupils’ attainment against the National Curriculum. In developing these tests, the Department has considered carefully their impact upon all pupils and we will continue to do so as they are introduced in schools.



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Ministry of Justice

Bail

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people were sentenced for failure to answer to bail in each of the last five years; and what was the average (1) fine, and (2) custodial sentence imposed, for such offences in each of the last five years.

Lord Faulks: The number of persons sentenced for failing to surrender to bail, with average fine and custodial length, in England and Wales, from 2010 to 2014 (the latest available) can be viewed in the table.Court proceedings data for 2015 will be published in due course. Persons sentenced at all courts, with average fine and custodial length, for the offence of failing to surrender to bail(1), England & Wales, 2010 to 2014(2)(3)  Outcome20102011201220132014Sentenced18,59316,70013,26311,2849,479  Average fine (£)62.9563.6167.4170.3070.86  Average custodial sentence length (months)(4)0.80.80.80.80.8  (1) An offence under Section 6 Bail Act 1976  (2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.  (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (4) Excludes life and indeterminate sentences.   Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.   Ref: PQ HL7575

The Lord Chairman of Committees

Hereditary Peers: By-elections

Lord Grocott: To ask the Chairman of Committees, further to the Written Answer by the Chairman of Committees on 28 April (HL7763), what was the total cost for the services provided by Electoral Reform Services (ERS) for the recent hereditary peer by-election following the death of Lord Avebury, and what, in particular, was the cost of ERS supervising and conducting the count on 19 April.

Lord Laming: The total cost to the House of Lords for the services provided by Electoral Reform Services (ERS) in respect of the recent Liberal Democrat hereditary peers’ by-election was £300. This includes VAT at 20%.As with other by-elections, there was one fee for all services provided. There was no separate fee for the cost of ERS supervising and conducting the count.When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

European Parliament: Art Works

Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 21 April (HL7637), whether they will now state what contingency plans they have drawn up, if any, to repatriate the British Art Collection from the European Parliament in the event that the UK votes to leave the EU.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

European Parliament: Art Works

Baroness Rawlings: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 21 April (HL7637), whether the new settlement for the UK in the EU negotiated by the Prime Minister included a provision for the British Art Collection in the European Parliament to be repatriated in the event that the UK votes to leave the EU.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

UN Convention for Protection of Cultural Property in Event of Armed Conflict

The Earl of Clancarty: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce legislation to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols within the next Session.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Department for Work and Pensions

British Home Stores: Pensions

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review, or charge others to review, the performance of the trustees of the BHS pension schemes, and whether the current trustees are fit and proper to continue performing that role at BHS and other pension schemes.

Baroness Altmann: The investigation into the BHS pension schemes, including the role of the trustees, is a matter for the independent Pensions Regulator.  The actions of the trustees and competence of the trustees are among the issues that we would expect the Regulator to be considering as part of its investigations.

British Home Stores: Pensions

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they, the Pensions Regulator, or the Pension Protection Fund have in the last three years had discussions with BHS, Lady Green or Sir Philip Green concerning the deficit in the BHS pension fund and a scheme to reduce that deficit.

Baroness Altmann: The Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund are independent bodies and in carrying out their functions they may meet individuals involved with pension schemes. Ministers have engaged with a range of sponsoring employers of Defined Benefit pensions schemes as a matter of routine, including Sir Philip Green, as part of their normal considerations of the pensions landscape but oversight of the scheme funding regime for Defined Benefit schemes is a matter for the Pensions Regulator. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in individual cases or to discuss with the Regulator, the Pension Protection Fund or the scheme sponsor how a particular scheme’s pension deficit should be mitigated.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Anaerobic Digestion

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what barriers they have identified to the further growth of the waste-fed anaerobic digestion sector.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan which was published in 2011 included 56 actions to overcome barriers to anaerobic digestion (AD) using waste feedstocks. The Strategy has been delivered and the number of AD plants that treat waste has increased dramatically. AD is delivering renewable energy into both the heat and power sectors. Government-funded research has shown that smart use of renewable fertilisers can increase yields, maintain soil fertility and reduce bills with no negative impact on crop quality or safety. Government support has helped the AD sector to take off. It is now for industry itself to continue to develop sustainably, identify opportunities for growth and manage risks.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will extend the deadline for claims for basic farm payments for 2016 until 31 May or later.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Food Poverty

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to gather evidence on food insecurity in the UK.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: There is no single definition of food insecurity. The factors that impact on household food security are complex. There are multiple indicators such as quality, variety and desirability of diet as well as total intake, not all of which are measured consistently. It is, therefore, very difficult and potentially misleading to attempt to develop a single classification of food insecurity. Defra publishes annual statistics to show the proportion of household income spent on food by (a) all households and (b) the lowest income 20% of households. Lower income families spend a greater proportion of household income on food (15.7% compared to 11.4% for the average household). This has remained stable over recent years: 16.5% in 2013, 16.6% in 2012, 16.6% in 2011, 15.8% in 2010 and 16.1% in 2009. The most recent statistics are in the Food Statistics Pocketbook 2015 on the GOV.UK website. Year on year food prices have continued to fall with an annual rate of inflation of -2.7 per cent in the year to March 2016. General inflation is 0.3 per cent, unchanged from January.

Milk: Origin Marking

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to strengthen the labelling of milk products to show country of origin.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In 2011, Defra facilitated a set of industry principles on country of origin labelling. These principles ensure that the vast majority of milk and dairy products sold at retail in Britain are clearly labelled with their country of origin. We are continuing to work with the food industry to explore what more can be done to increase origin labelling, as well as in the EU to push for EU-wide mandatory origin labelling for milk and dairy products.

Hedgehogs

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 25 April (HL7529), whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: There has been no assessment of whether badger predation on hedgehogs is increasing or decreasing. Badgers have, however, been identified as one of a range of factors that could potentially have an impact on hedgehog populations.

Tree Planting

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have gathered on the contribution that the 64 million new trees to be planted by the Woodland Trust in England would make to carbon reduction or capture.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government has not gathered any information about the contribution these trees would make towards carbon reduction or capture. However, the Forestry Commission’s Woodland Carbon Code Carbon Lookup Tables, suggest that 64 million trees planted as woodland could capture 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the first 50 years of their life.

Fly-tipping

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the levels of fly-tipping on private land across the UK in each of the last five years.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Fly-tipping is unacceptable whether it occurs on public or private land, it spoils our enjoyment of the countryside, can harm human health and wildlife, and damage farming and rural tourism. It also undermines legitimate waste businesses where unscrupulous operators undercut those that operate within the law and is a drain on both local authorities and landowners that clear it up. Tackling this scourge and other forms of illegal waste activity is a priority for the Government. The exact extent of fly-tipping on private land is unknown as landowners are not required to report this to Defra. However landowner estimates, provided to the Defra chaired National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, suggest that fly-tipping on private land may cost between £50 million and £150 million per annum in clean up and disposal costs alone. Some private landowner organisations do report fly-tipping on their land to Defra on a voluntary basis. Between April 2009 and April 2016 these organisation reported some 5,946 fly-tipping incidents on their land. We recognise that the data collected does not fully reflect the scale of the problem. We recognise the inconvenience and costs that fly-tipping poses to landowners and we are working with a wide range of interested parties through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to improve understanding and awareness of the problem as well as sharing best practice about tackling it.

Fly-tipping

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to improve the reporting of fly-tipping on private land, since the publication of Defra’s 2010 report, Fly Tipping: Let’s cut it out.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

*No heading*

Lord Willoughby de Broke: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the European Parliament's proposal to ban the herbicide glyphosate for garden use, they intend to vote for re-approval of glyphosate at the EU Council meeting on 18 May.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Home Office

Asylum: Syria

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they anticipate being in a position to reply to the representations made to Lord Bates and to Lord Keen of Elie about Syrian Christian families seeking asylum after the beheading of family members.

Lord Keen of Elie: I understand the Noble Lord is referring to correspondence dated 25 April from a member of the public on behalf of people they believe are at risk in Syria.I can confirm that a response was sent on 9 May.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their intention that, in the event of the UK leaving the EU, citizens of EU member states who had previously settled in the UK would be entitled automatically to remain; and if not, what contingency plans they are making to defend any legal challenges or claims for compensation under the European Convention on Human Rights that might arise from individuals who are subject to removal.

Lord Keen of Elie: As set out in the Government’s White Paper: ‘The process for withdrawing from the European Union’, published on 29 February, the withdrawal process is unprecedented. No country has ever used Article 50 – it is untested. There is a great deal of uncertainty about how it would work.UK citizens get the right to live and work in the other 27 member states from our membership of the EU. If the UK voted to leave the EU, the Government would do all it could to secure a positive outcome for the country, but there would be no requirement under EU law for these rights to be maintained.

Asylum

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long it takes on average for the UK to take charge of asylum claims made under the Dublin III Regulations.

Lord Keen of Elie: Data on cases progressed under the Dublin III Regulation is recorded on the main immigration database.However, this data is not held in a way that allows it to be reported on automatically and is therefore not currently available.

Asylum

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long it takes on average for the UK to reach a decision on asylum claims made under the Dublin III Regulations.

Lord Keen of Elie: Whilst the Home Office does publish information on decision timeliness the way the data is recorded means that it would require manual interrogation of the main immigration database to calculate the average decision time for cases transferred under Dublin III. This data cannot be provided for reasons of disproportionate cost

Borders: Personal Records

Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 4 May (HL7852), why they only conduct "targeted passport checks against selected cohorts of passengers leaving the UK for a range of law enforcement purposes", in the light of their response to the European Union Committee's report Frontex: the EU external borders agency (9th Report, Session 2007–08, HL Paper 60), which states their intention that by March 2014 the e-Borders system would have reached the key milestone of "the receipt and processing of data for 100 per cent of passengers and crew movements" ; whether it is still their aim to reach that milestone; and if not, when their policy was changed.

Lord Keen of Elie: Routine embarkation controls by Border Force officers were abolished in 1994 and 1998, as the paper-based checks were deemed outdated and checks were not carried out on all modes of transport. However, Border Force does undertake targeted passport checks against selected cohorts of passengers leaving the UK for a range of law enforcement purposes. Since April 2015 exit data has been collected by carriers and port operators from all scheduled international commercial services departing the UK from air and sea ports and from international rail stations, except those services not within scope. Departure data is collected by carriers and port operators and transmitted to Home Office systems, where work takes place to match it to arrival data, visa conditions and other information as appropriate.

Police: Cybercrime

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in working with Chief Police Officers to tackle cybercrime.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to support research and development to provide continually up-to-date defence against cybercrime.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Home Office continues to work closely with police forces to ensure that we are best placed to tackle the threat posed by cyber crime.Through the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP), we invested over £90 million during the last Parliament to bolster the law enforcement response.As the Chancellor announced in November, this Government has committed to spending £1.9 billion on cyber security over the next five years, including for tackling cyber crime.The Home Office is also supporting the work led by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, the National Policing Lead for Digital Investigation and Intelligence (DII), to build capabilities to combat the full range of digital crime types. In addition we are providing funding through the Police Transformation Fund to support police led programmes to provide a step-change in digital capability.

Cybercrime

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of cybercrime attacks and their impact on the UK economy.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The most recently published crime statistics for England and Wales show that in the year ending December 2015 of the 617,618 fraud offences reported to the National Fraud Investigation Bureau, 14,347 (2.3%) were recorded under the Computer Misuse Act (i.e. cyber-dependent offences). This figure represented a 6% decrease compared to the year ending December 2014.While overall crime has fallen by more than a quarter since 2010, it is also changing. An accurate national picture is critical to informing our response to cyber crime. That is why the Office for National Statistics have now published, for the first time, initial experimental estimates of the numbers of cyber crimes committed.Based on a preliminary field trial, ONS estimate 5.1m fraud incidents and 2.5m incidents of computer misuse crime per year. Following the success of this trial, new questions relating to fraud and cybercrime were introduced onto half the survey sample from October 2015 and will be reported on a quarterly basis from later this year.

Cybercrime

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that businesses and individuals are being adequately protected from the financial impact of cybercrime.

Lord Keen of Elie: Through the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP), we invested over £90 million during the last Parliament to bolster the law enforcement response. As the Chancellor announced in November, this Government has committed to spending £1.9 billion on cyber security over the next five years, including activity to help businesses and individuals protect themselves from cyber crime. The Government is also creating the National Cyber Security Centre, which will open in October 2016, to simplify the current cyber security landscape. This year, we will also publish a second five-year National Cyber Security Strategy which will set out our approach to how we will continue to defend the UK from cyber crime.Through the NCSP we are funding the Cyber Streetwise campaign (www.cyberstreetwise.com), which encourages the public and Small and Medium Enterprises to adopt more secure online behaviour. The latest phase of the campaign, launched in September 2015, is focussed on addressing the estimated 80% of cyber crime that could be prevented through the adoption of three simple online behaviours: use three random words to create a strong password; install security software on all devices; and always download the latest software and app updates as soon as they appear.We are also clear that banks have a central role in the prevention of fraud and cyber crime. The Home Secretary announced our new Joint Fraud Taskforce on 10 February. The Taskforce is a collaboration of the banks, law enforcement and government, at the most senior levels. Its aim is to protect the public from financial fraud, including cyber-enabled fraud, to reduce the impact of fraud on victims and increase the disruption and prosecution of fraudsters.

Turkey: Refugees

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made towards implementation of the provisions of the EU–Turkey Joint Action Plan to tackle the migrant crisis in line with EU principles.

Lord Keen of Elie: The UK is committed to ensuring the EU Turkey deal is implemented in an effective and sustainable way. We believe it is going to make a genuine difference to managing the flows of migrants; preventing people from putting themselves in the hands of smugglers and from dying while attempting the crossing. The UK is working with our European partners to ensure that most migrants can be returned quickly, fairly and securely to Turkey. We have offered 75 expert personnel including staff to help with the processing and administration of migrants in Greek reception centres. This will help to ensure that vulnerable people, including children, are identified and can access asylum systems as quickly as possible, while other migrants will be returned to Turkey in accordance with the EU-Turkey deal. The first cohort of staff are due to arrive in Greece next week. The UK also continues to deploy three vessels in the Aegean assisting in Search & Rescue missions, and a Royal Navy vessel operating as part of the NATO mission.

Ministry of Defence

UK Membership of EU

Lord Stevens of Ludgate: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Prime Minister’s comments regarding the stability of peace in Europe if the UK leaves the EU, what steps they have taken to strengthen the armed forces.

Earl Howe: The Government believes that the UK should remain in a reformed EU. As the Prime Minister has said, our EU membership helps keep the UK safer and stronger. We have the largest defence budget in the EU and the second largest in NATO. In addition, we have committed to spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence over the course of this Parliament, and the Ministry of Defence's budget will rise by 0.5 per cent above inflation every year to 2020-21. We are maintaining the size of the Army, and we are increasing the size of the Royal Navy, the RAF and the reserves.

Arab States: Armed Forces

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy with regard to future deployment of troops in (1) Iraq, and (2) Libya.

Earl Howe: In Iraq, the Government is already making a substantial contribution, with over 250 personnel who have provided training to more than 13,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces in infantry skills and countering improvised explosive devices. We keep the composition and scale of our contribution under close review, to reflect developments in the campaign.We are discussing with international partners how to best support the new Libyan Government. This might include training Libyan forces to provide their own security, but no decisions have yet been made. There are no UK Government plans for the deployment of troops in a combat role to Libya. Any support the UK provides will be in response to a request made by the Libyan Government.

HM Treasury

Wealth

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the claim by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that the proposal to stop collecting data on the wealthiest 1 per cent in the UK would lead to their wealth being underestimated.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government is not proposing to stop collecting data on the wealthiest 1 per cent in the UK. HM Revenue and Customs consulted on a proposal to cease producing statistics on personal wealth based on Inheritance Tax returns. The consultation suggested that the Office for National Statistics' estimates of personal wealth, based on the household Wealth and Assets Survey, give a better indication of the overall distribution of wealth. The Government has not yet published a formal response to the consultation, which has now closed.

Embassies: Home Country Nationals

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they ascertain the number of local staff at a foreign embassy who are liable to pay tax.

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, other than voluntarily registering for self-assessment, what tools are available to ensure that tax is paid by locally employed staff working in foreign embassies.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Letters are issued annually on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Diplomatic Missions in the UK (Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates) requesting staff lists providing details of all locally engaged staff and private servants. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a specialist team (the Embassy team) in place to deal with enquiries from locally engaged staff employed at Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in the UK as detailed in ‘The London Diplomatic List’. In December 2015 HMRC wrote to all these bodies to ensure they held full and up-to-date contact information for the team. Locally engaged employees and private servants are expected to contact the Embassy team to notify their employment as soon as they are engaged. The Embassy team determines the employee’s liability to Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. The team also carries out risk assessment activity and where it identifies individuals who have not notified their employment to HMRC, it takes action to ensure they pay the tax that is due.

UK Membership of EU

Lord Tebbit: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord O’Neill of Gatley on 28 April (HL Deb, col 1244), what provision was made in the Treasury document published on 18 April on the economic efforts of a UK withdrawal from the EU for funding the health, education, welfare and other costs associated with the forecast increase in that document of three million in the population of the UK by 2030.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: “HM Treasury analysis: the long-term economic impact of EU membership and the alternatives” shows that after 15 years, even with savings from reduced contributions to the EU, receipts would be £20 billion a year lower in the central estimate of the EEA, £36 billion a year lower for the negotiated bilateral agreement and £45 billion a year lower for the WTO alternative. £36 billion is more than a third of the NHS budget and the equivalent of 8p on the basic rate of income tax. The HMT analysis does not forecast immigration but uses the latest figures from ONS as a modelling assumption. These numbers do not take account of future Government actions to reduce immigration, including the emergency brake on welfare agreed as part of the renegotiation. The Government is committed to controlling migration by dealing with those who shouldn’t be here, by deporting illegal immigrants and improving the skills of British workers, so we reduce the demand for skilled migrants. The Prime Minister has re-negotiated the UK’s position within the EU to close back-door routes into the UK and exert greater control over EU migration by tackling the draw of our welfare system. But net migration remains too high and there is still more work to do.

Financial Services: Fees and Charges

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to take steps to encourage fund managers to take research costs out of their management fees, rather than deducting those costs through additional fees.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the level of fund management fees charged to consumers reflects a competitive market, in the light of the variable performance of such funds.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to legislate to ensure that all fees charged to pensioners by fund managers are made publicly available monthly, including transaction and research costs and all other costs that investors bear.

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they track the performance of the fund management industry; and if so, whether they have identified any examples where managers have been able to reduce costs and passed those reductions on to investors.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government is committed to the principle that people who have worked hard and saved should have access to appropriate and accessible investment options and understand the charges that they face. We appreciate the efforts that industry have made to fulfil this aim. Since last April, the Government has ensured that trustees of defined contribution pension schemes report charges levied on members in schemes used for auto enrolment. We are also engaging with international work on transparency, such as the legislation agreed at European Union level through the Packaged Retail and Insurance Based Investment Products (PRIIPs) and Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). MiFID II will introduce new measures to increase transparency of research costs for clients of portfolio managers. Under these new measures, portfolio managers may only pay for research through their own funds or from a specific research payment account funded by its clients and subject to specific controls, including a research budget. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is also currently conducting a market study into asset management, which covers the issue of whether the level of fund management fees charged to consumers reflects a competitive market. We await the FCA’s assessment of competition in this sector. The FCA expect to publish an interim report in summer 2016 and a final report in early 2017.

Taxation: Malawi

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in the renegotiation of the 1955 tax treaty between the UK and Malawi, and when the new treaty is expected to be agreed and signed.

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the ongoing negotiations between the UK and Malawi towards an updated taxation treaty will take account of Malawi’s development situation.

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the renegotiated tax treaty between the UK and Malawi will improve opportunities for the government of Malawi to raise domestic revenue.

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the renegotiated tax treaty between the UK and Malawi will be published once it is agreed and before it is signed.

Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the renegotiated tax treaty between the UK and Malawi will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny after it is agreed but before it is signed.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Discussions with Malawi over a new tax treaty began some years ago, and substantive agreement has been reached at official level. The Government of Malawi have stated that they hope to be in a position to sign the new treaty in the near future. The current negotiations are a matter for the two governments. The UK’s starting point in negotiations is based closely on the OECD Model Double Taxation Convention, which is also the basis for most other countries’ tax treaties. Some developing countries prefer to follow the UN Model, the provisions of which differ in some areas to the OECD Model. The UK does adopt these provisions in its treaties where agreement is reached. This is a matter for the Government of Malawi. However, they have stated that there is no evidence that the current 1955 agreement has motivated British investors to deprive the Government of Malawi of its revenues. The terms of tax treaties are for the negotiators of both countries to agree. Only when both governments are content with the terms of the treaty will the treaty be signed. It would be inappropriate for draft treaties to be published in advance of signature to the treaty. In the UK tax treaties are published and subject to parliamentary scrutiny before they become law and enter into force. A form of approval is usually followed in the corresponding country, thus giving a further level of assurance that the terms are acceptable to both Governments.

London Stock Exchange: Deutsche Borse

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that the London Stock Exchange estimates that its acquisition by Deutsche Bourse will lead to a reduction of £7 billion in the margin capital available to protect the financial system from the consequences of counterparty failure, and of whether such a reduction in collateral represents an unacceptable increase in systemic risk.

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the presence in the UK of a counterparty clearing house is necessary to the success of the UK as an international financial centre, and whether the presence of such a clearing house is protected by the new settlement for the UK in the EU.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Central Counterparties (CCPs) play a central role in modern financial markets. As the Prime Minster has made clear, the UK’s new settlement with the EU ensures UK firms, including CCPs, will never face any discrimination for being outside the Eurozone. I refer the noble Lord also to my written answer of 1 April (HL7153).

Credit Cards

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to investigate the growth in the number of banks offering unsecured credit cards with interest and principal payment grace periods of more than three years, in the light of the most recent report by MoneyFacts.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government has fundamentally reformed regulation of the consumer credit market, which includes the credit card sector. Consumer credit regulation transferred from the Office of Fair Trading to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 1 April 2014. The FCA is currently undertaking a thorough review of the credit card market through its ‘credit card market study’. On 3 November 2015 the FCA published its interim report which found that the market was working reasonably well for most customers.

Credit

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the growth in private sector credit; the use of lending strategies by banks; payday lenders and peer-to-peer lenders; and risks to family finances and financial stability.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Private credit growth grew at 3.7% in the year to March, below the 2003-08 average of 11.5%. Industry sources such as Nesta estimate that peer-to-peer lending for consumers and business facilitated £2.4 billion of gross lending in 2015, 85% higher than in 2014. The volume of payday lending fell 35% in the first six months after the government transferred regulatory responsibility of the consumer credit market to the Financial Conduct Authority in April 2014. The government created the independent Financial Policy Committee (FPC) to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past, and they have judged that financial stability risks from domestic credit growth are not elevated. The FPC has already taken action on loan-to-income ratios and mortgage affordability to ensure against risks from indebted households, and interest payments as a proportion of household income have fallen to a record low of 4.7% in Q4 2015, compared to 10.6% in Q1 2008.

Banks: Loans

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are monitoring the lending practices of "challenger banks" particularly with regard to their use of high loan-to-value ratios and low value-to-income ratios, and whether they forecast the risks to family finances of borrowing and to the economy of rising impairment to bank balance sheets.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: This Government has fundamentally reformed the UK’s system of financial regulation. We established the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) to act as the UK’s macroprudential authority, tasked with identifying, monitoring and addressing systemic risks to financial stability. This involves monitoring levels of leverage, debt or credit growth of all banks active in the UK, including so-called “challenger banks”. In June 2014, the FPC took action to limit mortgage lending at high loan-to-income ratios; this action provided insurance against a rise in the number of highly indebted households.We also established the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) as the UK’s micro-prudential regulator, responsible for promoting the safety and soundness of the individual firms it regulates, through minimising the risk they pose to financial stability. The FPC’s latest assessment of financial stability risks from UK credit growth can be found in the record of its March 2016 meeting, which is available on the Bank of England’s website.

Economic and Monetary Union

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether British banks or the public purse could be compelled to participate in a scheme to rescue a failing bank based in the Eurozone to make a new contribution of equity, accept haircuts on assets or be forced into debt for equity conversions.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government has ensured that the UK will never be required to pay for any future Eurozone bail outs. The Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) requires Member States to put in place a bail-in tool, which will allow resolution authorities to write down liabilities in a failing bank and convert their debt instruments into equity. The BRRD represents an important step forward in ensuring that the EU effectively addresses the risks posed by the banking system.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Lord Palmer: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times the cross-department ministerial group to tackle illicit trade in tobacco has met since it was announced in the budget of March 2015; and whether they will set out the membership of that group, the issues that were discussed at each meeting and the intended outcomes.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The cross-department ministerial group to tackle illicit tobacco will meet for the first time later this month. This follows a number of productive meetings between officials in HMRC and other departments to identify the challenges and opportunities in the UK and internationally and determine a clear agenda for ministerial action. Further details on the group will be issued in due course.

*No heading*

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider giving the owners of Alternative Tier One instruments capital voting rights in banks which are approaching a contingent convertible conversion point.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The Government does not have plans to propose changes to Additional Tier 1 (AT1) instruments. These instruments have been designed without voting rights for investors because it is necessary for issuing banks to have the capital readily available in times of stress. Introduction of voting rights before a bank reaches a trigger point could undermine the ability to quickly convert these instruments and secure the capital necessary to prevent additional stress.

Cabinet Office

Profumo Inquiry

Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the 100-year embargo on declassification of the papers of the 1963 Denning inquiry into the Profumo affair has been reduced to a shorter retention period.

Lord Bridges of Headley: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by my predecessor to his previous question on 13 December 2013. The Government is working with the National Archives to transfer the Denning papers to Kew. We will make a further announcement in due course.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Internet

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is legal for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to advertise and provide access to the Government's referendum leaflet on its main website and whether any costs involved are additional to, or part of, the total spending on producing and distributing the leaflet.

Lord Bridges of Headley: Gov.uk provides a range of Government information, including links to the eureferendum.gov.uk website which sets out information for the public in order to ensure they are able to make an informed decision on 23rd June.It is legal for Government to do so and there are no additional costs associated with this. These links will be removed at the start of the restricted 28 day period.

Public Bodies: Recruitment

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage public bodies, including the BBC, to recruit and promote individuals based on merit alone, and to move away from any affirmative action policies that may be in use.

Lord Bridges of Headley: All public appointments to the boards of public bodies are made on merit and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the Rt Hon Peter Riddell. The boards of non-departmental public bodies should ensure that the body’s rules for recruitment and management of staff provide for appointment and advancement on merit. These requirements also apply to the BBC.

Department of Health

Midwives: Training

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many midwives in the UK will complete their training in 2016.

Lord Prior of Brampton: It is not possible to predict with certainty how many midwives currently studying in the United Kingdom will successfully complete their training in 2016. All students studying midwifery need to successfully complete their course and pass their exams in order to complete their training and graduate from their courses. Health Education England forecast that the total number of midwives due to complete their training in 2016 is 1,902.

Doctors

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the NHS of the predicted loss of 35 per cent of current clinical pharmacologist consultant posts through retirements in the next decade and the reduction in the number of training grade clinical pharmacologist posts, as set out in the report by the British Pharmacological Society, A Prescription for the NHS: Recognising the value of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reasons behind the reduction in the number of consultant clinical pharmacologist posts within the NHS.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK's research capacity of the reduction in the number of consultant clinical pharmacologist posts within the NHS.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the design and running of early phase clinical trials and all phases of drugs development of the reduction in the number of consultant clinical pharmacologist posts being held in the NHS.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on medicines policy and management of the reduction in the number of consultant clinical pharmacologist posts within the NHS.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Health Education England over any action required to stem the loss of consultant clinical pharmacologist posts in the NHS.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Figures published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that there has not been a reduction in the number of consultant clinical pharmacologists employed in the National Health Service in England. As part of its workforce planning, Health Education England (HEE) take account of a range of factors including forecast rates of retirement. HEE has recently undertaken a review of the clinical pharmacology and therapeutics workforce, the findings of which will contribute to future workforce planning for this specialty in England. It is for the respective Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to consider workforce planning for their health system.

Exercise

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report of the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges in February 2015, Exercise: The miracle cure and the role of the doctor in promoting it, and how that assessment has informed their policy making.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The evidence and messages in the report of the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges align with the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) guidelines for physical activity and Public Health England’s physical activity framework ‘Everybody Active Every Day’ both of which highlight the key role of health professionals in promoting physical activity. The Government is committed to raising awareness of the UK CMOs guidelines and the benefits of physical activity amongst the public and health professionals. The CMO recently launched a new infographic specifically designed to help health professionals to discuss the benefits of physical activity with their patients. The Government also has in place a range of other programmes to support doctors in the promotion of physical activity. These include e-learning modules on physical activity and health, undergraduate training resources for medical, nursing and allied health professionals and Public Health England’s Clinical Champions Programme. Physical activity is also embedded in NHS’s risk reduction services such as NHS Health Checks and the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.